Principal's Message - 12/6/20

Good Morning Stone Parents & Families, 

It was a very busy week as we returned from the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope each of you found some time to rest and relax with your families. While the holiday season certainly looks different this year,  we look forward to continuing to celebrate our students and staff as we close out this unprecedented year of 2020. Our students were able to experience their first virtual assembly, Beautiful Tomorrow, with inspiring words about staying true to yourself, following your dreams and surrounding yourself with positive individuals who will lift you up. A huge thank you to our Student Services and PTSA for supporting this event. 

In the coming days, you will receive more information about our first drive-thru “Winter Wonderland” event, which will be held on December 17 from 6:00-7:30 PM at Stone MS. Please consider supporting the PTSA with the donation of lights and other volunteer opportunities by signing up here.

We understand the challenges our students have experienced with respect to workload and keeping up with assignments. To that end, secondary schools in FCPS will implement Catch Up Days during the 2nd quarter. At Stone MS, these days will be on Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18. On these two days, students will attend each of their classes and attendance will be taken. No new work or assignments will be given. Students will be given extra time to work on and submit missing assignments and receive additional support from their teachers. 

As this time of uncertainty continues, I encourage you to attend one of my two principal’s office hours outlined below. There will be a Return to School Update delivered to the School Board on December 10. After that meeting, I will send any updates specific to Stone MS in order to prepare for the weeks ahead after winter break. 

In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if there is anything we can do as a Stone team to support you and your family during this challenging time. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, 

Meredith Norris 

Principal 

Portrait of a Panther Winners for week of 11/30 I really enjoyed getting to interact with our students during this week’s Beautiful Tomorrow assembly. Our students were excited and engaged as they participated during the assembly and in the after school Q & A. To that end, these 12 Panthers did an amazing job asking questions, providing quality feedback, and sharing their cameras and mics. This week’s Portrait of a Panther winners are: Nabina Asim, Isaiah Bland, Darin Cardek, Alex Cantoran Alvarado, Abeer Ibrahim, Gabriel Lebahn, Daijah Lucas, Kimberly Olais-Rosales, Yvonne Pho, Rylee Schmid, Ehma Stalfort and David Suane.

12 Days of Learning in a Techie Wonderland

Our Stone Student Tech Team has worked to put together a countdown to Winter Break by creating and sharing a new technology tip for each day before break. Students should check their Schoology messages folder each morning to see the tip of the day. Tips include: Schoology navigation, Chrome shortcuts, where to go to check their grades, new digital tech tools for organization and MORE! 

Hour of Code 2020 We live in a world surrounded by technology. And we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly depend on understanding how technology works.  That’s why our entire school is joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (December 7-13). More than 100 million students worldwide have already tried an Hour of Code. Stone MS students and staff will have another opportunity to participate in Hour of Code this week and learn more about coding during our After School Program, Panther Block, and on the news this week.  You can find more information and resources on our Stone Website.

8th Grade Science Supply Pick Up

Great news 8th grade Students! The 8th grade Science teachers organized supplies to support your learning at home.  A bag of supplies has been made for every 8th grade science student to be picked up curbside at Stone in the front bus loop.  

• Monday, Dec 7 from 8:30am to 4:00pm 
• Tuesday, Dec 8 from 3:00pm to 7:00pm

All 8th grade students will need these supplies to support the lessons being taught virtually.  Stone staff and students will adhere to social distancing and recommended health/safety procedures outlined by the health department. Thank you for all the support you have been providing at home! -Mr. Alleyne, Mr. Daugherty, Mrs. Mannikko and Mrs. Richmond

Student Individual Pictures on December 7 and 8

(See Stone Website for more information)

We will have Lifetouch photographers at Stone on Monday, December 7 and Tuesday, December 8 to take individual student portraits.  This will be done by appointment only to support health safety procedures.  

• Monday, December 7 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
• Tuesday, December 8 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Please use this Sign Up Genius to select a day and time for your student’s photo. Lifetouch staff, Stone staff, and students will adhere to social distancing and recommended health/safety procedures outlined by the health department.  All students upon arrival to Stone will complete the Covid Health Screening Questionnaire (or may bring it completed) and will have their temperature taken. A mask is required for all staff and students to participate in the event.  Parents/Guardians will wait in their cars until their student returns.  

Picture orders may be placed online at MyLifetouch.com or by phone at: 1-800-736-4753 using the Picture Day ID: EVTVMRS4H.  For support with ordering pictures, please contact Lifetouch by phone or by email at:  UCanswers@lifetough.com.

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